An intelligence – driven operation by Mthatha Public Order Police on Saturday, 26 July 2025 at about 00:40 in Upper Lotana locality – Qumbu led to the arrest of a 51 year old woman found in possession of an unlicensed 9mm Norinco pistol (intact serial number) with six (06) live rounds of ammunition.
Police pounced on the suspect’s homestead in the early morning hours with a search warrant and on searching, the 9mm pistol with two magazines were found under the mattress of the bed. The suspect had no licence to possess such a firearm. Firearm circulation revealed that the recovered firearm belongs to a 53 year old South African male of Carolusberg near Springbok and it was never reported as stolen. Investigation into the matter is ongoing with the 51 year old female suspect scheduled to appear before Qumbu Magistrate Court on Monday, 28 July 2025, on charges of unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
“We will make sure that communities of OR Tambo District are safe and also feel safe by removing all illegal/unlicensed firearms from the streets and villages of the district”, said OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana as he applauded all police members involved in the operation.
